EXCLUSIVE: Fast Five helmer Justin Lin is broadening out from fast cars. Lin has acquired screen rights to the critically acclaimed David Henry Hwang comic play Chinglish, with plans to direct and produce the screen adaptation through his Barnstorm Pictures banner. Hwang will write the script and will co-produce with Bobbi Thompson. The play, a romantic comedy with a timely, political spin, opened at Chicago’s Goodman Theatre en route to Broadway. An international tour beginning at Berkeley Repertory Theatre starts this fall. “As soon as I saw Chinglish on Broadway, I began to envision this smart and insightful cross-cultural comedy as a film,” Lin said. “I’m excited about working with David to bring this very timely story to the screen.” Lin’s Barnstorm has a first-look deal with Universal, and the studio will get first crack at this.

Hwang is a Tony winner and two-time Pulitzer finalist best known for M. Butterfly, the hit Broadway play he later adapted into the David Cronenberg-directed film. “I’ve loved Justin’s work ever since he burst on the scene with Better Luck Tomorrow, and it feels very right to be collaborating with him on the movie.” CAA is repping the package (the agency reps Lin and Barnstorm along with Cinetic Media). Hwang’s repped for theater by Paradigm.

Lin is directing Fast & Furious 6. He had been attached to the package that Megan Ellison’s Annapurna Pictures acquired to make at least two final installments of The Terminator franchise. Lin dropped out due to his Fast & Furious 6 commitment, but could return if Ellison’s film doesn’t move forward quickly. So far, not much has happened.

7 Comments

Great for Lin! Great for Hwang! Great for diversity! Lin won me, a fat Indian woman, over with FAST FIVE. REPRESENT, JUSTIN!!!

C • on Apr 24, 2012 11:38 am

I saw this play at the Goodman and on Broadway, and it’s truly excellent – timely, tightly plotted and funny as hell. This sounds like a wonderful collaboration!

joe • on Apr 24, 2012 12:17 pm

This only ran on Broadway for about 4 months- not exactly a hit. I’m surprised they would make it into a film

Dick • on Apr 24, 2012 12:27 pm

You’re just a dick dude. I think it’s awesome Lin is inspired to make a diverse cross-cultural comedy. Even after JOY LUCK CLUB and MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA and even his own BETTER LUCK TOMORROW, there just aren’t enough films that get made about Chinese-Americans and/or Asian-Americans.

Kudos to Lin for branching out from the sequels and producing an original project.

anon • on Apr 24, 2012 9:44 pm

why are you so defensive, and calling him a “dick”? are you like a pr guy on steroids or something? joe just commented on the brief release of the play, and it’s speedy adaptation into film – which is a valid question – then you go and call him a “dick”, and then espouse all the virtues of asian-american film. what- you don’t want any negativity for your boy, justin? i can understand that, but you’re like a vicious attack dog. calm down. you’re not doing asian-american films any favors by harassing posters.

Elia • on Apr 24, 2012 1:46 pm

Joe, I wouldn’t so much call you a “dick” as just very small, small minded. A positive Chinese-American movie is very good for the Asian community and diversity overall. Not to mention that the market in China and other Asian countries is enormous and is starving for movies like this. Big props to Lin!

fred • on Apr 27, 2012 11:29 pm

Good to see Bobbi Thompson producing she’s one of the best people in the business.